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Meet the 2012 OLs

During Orientation, you'll meet a team of specially trained student Orientation Leaders. We like to call them OLs.


Alexandra Roberts


Andrew Layton

Andrew is a sophomore Computer Science student from Tuscon, AZ. You can find him around the field playing soccer and quidditch intramurals and participating in just about every campus event. His favorite thing about UAF is UAF! He says, “I love everything about it: the fact that it’s in Alaska, the weather year round, the people and the classes. It’s all amazing!”


Andy Chamberlain

Andy is a senior Civil Engineering student from Big Lake, AK. He is the President of the student chapter of American Society of Engineers, President of the student chapter of Chi Epsilon Honor Society, and ASUAF senator, and participates in intramurals. His favorite things about UAF are the Pub, Nanook Traditions, and broomball. It's hard to pick just one!


Anna Hjelmevoll

Anna is a senior at UAF majoring in Political Science and minoring in journalism from Ulvik, Norway. She is a member of the rifle team and says she loves the athletics and activities UAF has to offer.


April Mustard

April is a sophomore Biology student from Fairbanks. Her favorite thing about UAF is that it is close to home. She is currently enrolled in the Honors Program and sits as treasurer of the Honors Student Advisory Council.


Ariel Kimbleton

Ariel is a sophomore from Fairbanks, AK majoring in History and minoring in German. She says her favorite things about UAF are the people and the programs: she has found such amazing friends since starting at UAF, and there are so many resources and fun clubs for students. She is also a proud member of the UAF Quidditch Club!


Ashley Strauch

Ashley is a junior from Anchorage, AK majoring in Psychology and minoring in Secondary Education. She is the Vice President of UAF Psi Chi, a research assistant for CANHR, participates in various intramural sports, UAF LIVE and the Honors Program. Her favorite things about UAF are the diverse atmosphere and unique people!


Ashley Zatica

Ashley is a sophomore from Fairbanks majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in American Sign Language. She attends every Nanook hockey game and says it is her favorite activity because it is such a fun experience. Her favorite thing about UAF is the campus: it is beautiful whether it is winter or summer.


Ashish Fatnani

Ashish is a graduate student from Mumbai, India studying Petroleum Engineering. He has been a peer mentor, worked for Residence LIfe, is in the American Association of Drilling Engineers, the Secretary of Alaska Student Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, a Teaching Assistant, and a Research Assistant. His favorite things about UAF are the people, culture, and campus; the more you explore the more you are in love with this University!


Brandy Flores

Brandy is a sophomore from Anchorage, AK majoring in Natural Resource Management and minoring in Spanish. She is involved with UAF GSA, multiple LIVE programs, UAF Archer’s Association, Spanish Club, and Student Support Services. She says her favorite things about UAF are the community, resources, and the fact that there is always something to do. She also likes that UAF is far enough away from home to give her some independence, but close enough to visit.


Brett Kirk

Brett is a sophomore from Noatak, AK majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in Inupiaq. He is involved in the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and Natives for Positive Change. His favorite things about UAF are the many student run activities around campus and the ability to establish new relationships with others almost immediately!


Claire Ashmead

Claire is a senior from Fairbanks majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in French. Her favorite thing about UAF is the community, and she is a member of both the Latin Dance Club and UAF Notes A Cappella Choir.


Cord Reid

Cord is a sophomore from Anchorage, AK majoring in Psychology and minoring in Art. He works for Conference Services on the paint crew during the summer, and you can see him playing Ultimate Frisbee intramurals during the semester. He says picking one thing he likes most about UAF is difficult, because the campus has so many things to offer. If he had to pick one though, he says he loves the social scene. He loves how all the students are connected to each other by the University's involvement and encouragement with the student body.


Courtney Enright

Courtney is a junior from Kenai, AK majoring in Mechanical Engineering, minoring in History, and working on her masters in Business Administration. She is involved with the Honors Program, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Aurora Borealis Rotoract, Alaska Space Grant Program, and is a UAF Student Ambassador. Her favorite thing about UAF is the closeness of individual students and the small campus environment, plus Poker Flates!


Crystal Lor

Crystal is a sophomore Anthropology student from Tigar, OR. She is involved with Quidditch on campus, and says her favorite thing about UAF is the upstairs of the Lola Tilly Commons.


Dani Atkins

Dani is a junior Wildlife Biology student from Kenai, AK. She is a broomball team captain during intramural seasons and volunteers with the Nanook Traditions. Her favorite thing about UAF is all the traditions. She loves getting to do so many cool, fun things that get her involved on campus.


Denali Critchett

Denali is a junior Petroleum Engineering student from Homer, AK. She is involved in UAF LIVE Alternative Spring Break, Society of Women Engineers, American Association of Drilling Engineers, UAF Student Ambassadors, and intramurals. Her favorite things about UAF are hockey and the sense of community and opportunities available.


Elaine J. Eddington

Elaine is a junior from Hutchinson, KS majoring in Philosophy and Arts and Sciences and minoring in Military Scienc and Music. She is involved in the Socratic Society and Anthropology Club and enjoys attending the recitals offered at the Davis Concert Hall and performances by the theater classes. She enjoys all the opportunities on campus, but her favorite thing is the library! You can study in the 23-hour room with the best mochas on campus or head upstairs for some peace and quiet. She says you can always find her on the 6th floor in the Philosophy bookshelves.


Elika Roohi

Elika is a junior student from Anchorage, AK majoring in Journalism and minoring in Music. She is a member of the Sun Star, UAF Baha’I Club, intramurals – broomball, volleyball, basketball, and waterpolo, and the music department. Her favorite things about UAF are all of the amazing and helpful people that go to school and work here, working at the Sun Star, and the Tilly’s hot chocolate.


Erin Larsen

Erin is a sophomore from Fairbanks, AK majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Music. You can find her around campus participating in the UAF Pep Band, Wind Symphony, and InterVarsity bible study. She loves the community feeling in the dorms and the Tilly at UAF.


Grace Amundsen

Grace is a senior Civil Engineering student from Anchorage, AK. She is involved in the Ice Arch, Steel Bridge competition, SWE, ITE, Debate, Honors Program, and intramural broomball. Her favorite thing about UAF is the great mix of people!


Heather Hopson

Heather is a sophomore from Barrow, AK. She is involved with the Alaska Native Social Workers Association, Freshman Leadership Academy, Natives for Positive Change, and, starting this Fall, will be a UAF Student Ambassador. Her favorite thing about UAF is the diversity in people, classes, clubs, and organizations.


Kayleen Hansen

Kayleen is a sophomore from Nikiski, AK majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish. She is a member of the Honors Program, and she says her favorite thing about UAF is the community. Whether you know someone or not, you can strike up a conversation and everyone is really friendly; it’s very easy to make friends and meet people.


Kaz Alvarez

Kaz is a senior from Wasilla, AK majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Special Education. She is a 2 year member of Circle K (1 year as Vice President, 1 year as President) and a 2 year member – and 2 year Project Manager – of Students in Free Enterprise. Her favorite thing about UAF is the family – like atmosphere.


Kyle Riggenbach

Kyle is a junior from Monte Vista, CO majoring in Business and minoring in Finance. He is mostly involved with clubs that provide services and activities to students and the Fairbanks community as a whole, and his favorite thing about UAF is the small class size and high quality of professors.


Lakeidra Chavis

Lakeidra is a sophomore from Monticello, AR studying Foreign Language and Psychology. She has been a team member for Alternative Spring Break, served on the Hospitality Committee for the Festival of Native Arts, volunteered with the Psychology Club and Outdoor Days program, participates in French Club, and is a reporter for the Sun Star. Her favorite thing about UAF is that there is so much to do! There’s a club for everyone, whether it’s Women’s Hockey or the Supernatural Fan Club! There are always ways to get involved and to help make a difference not only at UAF but in the Fairbanks community. The people you work with become your friends but also a family away from home. How many universities can offer that?


Mandee Jackson

Mandee is a sophomore Child Development student from Nikiski, AK. She says her favorite UAF tradition is SpringFest, and she has worked for the campus newspaper, the Sun Star. Her favorite thing about UAF is the beauty of Fairbanks and especially the outdoor activities that are available: hiking, rock climbing, frolf, and the hot springs.


Mari Freitag

Mari is a senior from Ketchikan, AK majoring in Political Science and minoring in Justice. She is the ASUAF President and participates on the Nanook Traditions Board. Her favorite things about UAF are all of the opportunities to get involved and, of course, being a Nanook!


McKinley Zakurdaew

McKinley is a senior from Anchorage, AK majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Math. He is a senator with ASUAF, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, UAF Society of Automotive Engineers, and plays soccer, Quidditch, broomball, and all Frisbee related sports. His favorite thing about UAF is the history of the university and the impact it has had on the state, as well as the campus traditions that have come from its history.


Michael Magnan

Michael is a junior Geological Engineering student from Seattle, WA. He is involved in Nanook Traditions, Alpha Phi Omega, AEG, and an ASUAF senator. His favorite things about UAF are the people he’s met, how – even though it’s small – it can still feel like a huge campus, and the fact that the campus is surrounded by trees.


Monica Owens

Monica is a senior from “everywhere and nowhere” majoring in Sociology and minoring in Spanish. If you don’t see her at one of Alpha Phi Omega’s service events, you’ll probably find her working in the Women’s Center. Her favorite things about UAF are going to the hockey games with her friends and attending the Nanook Traditions.


Nerissa Burns

Nerissa is a junior Geological Engineering student from Seaford, Delaware. She is so excited to be an Orientation Leader in the Fall, and you can also see her around campus helping out at various activities, including SpringFest. Her favorite thing about UAF is the campus. Everything is so close, and she feels like we have the best view of the mountains and the weather from our hilltop view.


Rachel Ward

Rachel is a junior Petroleum Engineering student from Meeteetse, WY. She is a student tutor with Student Support Services and is involved with the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Her favorite thing about UAF is its size. It allows for students to know so many other students and professors on a personal level, and she loves having the opportunity to know so many different types of people.


Regina McNair Larese

Robert Doerning

Robert is a sophomore from Cold Bay, AK. You can find him around campus at events hosted in the dorms and SAO activities, such as traditions events and dances. His favorite thing about UAF is the close and homey feel of the campus, as well as the activities available to students throughout the school year.


Ruby Bynum

Ruby is a junior from Delta Junction, AK majoring in Social Work and minoring in Human Services. She is involved in intramural sports and recycling on campus. Her favorite thing about UAF is the great school spirit!


Sagar Kamath

Sagar is a graduate student studying Petroleum Engineering. He is an active member of UAF SPE and AADE and loves playing soccer, badminton, and tabletennis. His favorite thing about UAF is the people: “They are what keeps you warm in the cold winters.”


Sally Starn

Sally is a junior from Anchorage, AK studying Nursing and Petroleum Engineering. She is the President of the UAF Society of Women Engineers, Vice-President of UAF Society of Petroleum Engineers, and is involved with the Red Cross. Her favorite things about UAF are the people, engineering school, and the gorgeous weather!


Samantha Taylor

Samantha is a sophomore from Thorne Bay, AK majoring in Economics and minoring in Wildlife Biology. She is involved with Student Support Services, Rural Student Services, and also participates in intramural sports. Her favorite things about UAF are the traditions and sports games.


Stacey Krepel

Stacey is a sophomore Biochemistry student from Delta Junction, AK. She is involved in intramural volleyball, the a cappella choir Chordinated, Honors Student Council, bible study, and is part of the on-campus Catholic church. Her favorite thing about UAF is the size of the campus; you can have connections to just about everyone, and she feels that UAF has a strong sense of community because of that.


Walter DiSarro